May 10, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Belal Muhammad (red gloves) fights Jack Della Maddalena (blue gloves) during UFC 315 at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

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Former Champ Takes A Dig At Belal Muhammad After His UFC 315 Title Fight Loss

Former champ takes a dig at Belal Muhammad after his failed attempt to defend the title at UFC 315 against Jack Della Maddalena

May 10, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Belal Muhammad (red gloves) fights Jack Della Maddalena (blue gloves) during UFC 315 at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Fighter rivalries, unexpected outcomes, and post-fight commentary in the UFC keep fans engaged long after the final bell. This past weekend’s UFC 315 event in Montreal gave fans plenty to talk about when Jack Della Maddalena shocked many by dethroning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in a unanimous decision victory. What made the fight particularly interesting wasn’t just the outcome, but how it unfolded, with Muhammad seemingly abandoning his bread-and-butter wrestling approach that had carried him to championship gold.

Belal Muhammad had built his reputation on relentless pressure, calculated striking, and perfectly timed takedowns. His wrestling-heavy game plan had frustrated elite UFC strikers like Leon Edwards and Stephen Thompson on his path to the title. So when he faced the striking specialist Della Maddalena, fans and analysts expected Muhammad to lean heavily on his grappling. Instead, the champion chose to stand and trade with the Australian knockout artist. This decision that ultimately cost him his belt and drew criticism from many, including former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.

Also Read: Belal Muhammd To Middleweight? – With Islam vs JDM In sight, What Is Next For Belal Muhammad?

Robert Whittaker’s Whimsical Take

Robert Whittaker couldn’t resist taking a playful jab at Muhammad’s expense following the upset loss. During a recent appearance on his MMArcade Podcast, the former middleweight champion recalled Muhammad’s confident pre-fight declaration.

“Belal said he was not going to leave Montreal without that belt. Does that mean he lives in Montreal now?”

🗣️ Robert Whittaker:

"[Belal] said 'I'm not leaving Montreal without that belt'. Does that mean he lives in Montreal now?" 😭

🎥 @MMArcadePodcast #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/jm7HB4O5Wv
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 11, 2025

The lighthearted dig referenced Muhammad’s failed promise to retain his championship on Canadian soil. The joke landed particularly well given the stark contrast between Muhammad’s pre-fight confidence and the reality of his performance. After claiming he possessed “Canelo hands” and wouldn’t need a single takedown to beat Della Maddalena, Muhammad now finds himself without his championship gold.

Robert Whittaker Surprised By Belal Muhammad’s “Ridiculous” Game Plan

Whittaker didn’t stop at jokes, he offered substantive criticism of Muhammad’s fight strategy. He noted that when Muhammad mixed striking with wrestling against Della Maddalena, those takedown attempts were “clean every time.” This observation highlighted the puzzling nature of Muhammad’s approach.

“I can’t help but feel like Belal was trying to make a point striking with Jack for the first three rounds. If that’s the case, that is ridiculous.”

Robert Whittaker feels that Belal Muhammad lost the fight because he wanted to make a point by striking with JDM.😮

"I expected more takedowns. I can't help but feel like Belal was trying to make a point by striking with Jack for the first three rounds, and if that's the case,… pic.twitter.com/DGss3HWgU0
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) May 11, 2025

Whittaker also praised his fellow Australian’s mid-range boxing skills and ability to make Muhammad “pay for every step.” According to the former champion, Muhammad abandoned the winning formula that had earned him the title, referring to his typically seamless transitions between striking and wrestling. Now that the belt has left his possession, Muhammad is left to wonder what he did wrong and how can he make a comeback.

(Image Credit: Eric Bolte – Imagn Images)

Belal Muhammad

Robert Whittaker

UFC 315

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!